Page 27 of Wolf Roulette

The thought made me frown as obvious as it was.

One of uswouldlose.

“You shifted and left.” He glanced my way. “Was our reaction too much?”

“The pack deserves happiness too. I know that.”

“I’m just aware this is a difficult adjustment.”

Adjustment.There was that word again.

I nodded. “Being on pack lands while the tribe played Grids was harder than expected. Harder still because they lost.”

My answer saddened him.

“Is there anything else worrying you? You’ve seemed distant today.”

“Just stressed about my stewards and how they’re coping.” I focused out of the window.

“Of course. It would be unreasonable to expect otherwise. Thank you for trying with the pack regardless.”

Me doing so overjoyed and relieved him big time. “I won’t stop trying. But I’m starting to wonder if I’ll settle in as things are.”

“Give it more time,” he said low.

I inhaled his sharp spike of desperation and my chest tightened. “I will, Sascha. Just thinking aloud. Don’t worry about it.”

His borderline panic didn’t abate, and I shut my mouth for the rest of the drive.

We crossed the bridge into town.

Main Street was packed with people decked in their gambling finery. Jewels flashed and laughter rang out. Sascha drove up the hill, turning in behindThe Dens.

He parked and killed the engine.

We sat in the dark.

I grabbed the handle. “See you later.”

“Please don’t feel so sad and alone, beautiful wolf. We’ll figure this out.”

I opened my mouth to answer but my words scuttled off into the night. I closed the door without replying and entered the back door of the club.

The Denshad a hypnotic, erotic vibe that pulled patrons from hours away. The deep thrum of the deejay’s music worked its way into me, loosening some of the darkness gripping me.

“Seen Leroy?” I asked Grim.

He jerked his head. “Back room.”

I found the alpha working the exchange counters. “Who am I tagging today?”

“Andie, hey,” he said. “Lisa’s holding down the roulette fort. She’ll mentor you.” He dug around under the desk and passed me a trainee badge.

“Anything in particular you want me to do?” I pinned the badge to my jumpsuit.

“Watch Lisa work. We’ll catch up later to see where you’re at. I’d like you to spend time working the table under her supervision either tomorrow or Saturday.”

The hairs on the back of my neck rose and the elastic sensation under my ribs confirmed Sascha was somewhere behind me. “Sure.”